The US Air Force is considering the development of a stealthy flying-wing aircraft, potentially based on the B-21 Raider bomber, to serve as an “arsenal plane” carrying dozens of air-to-air missiles. This concept, which has been discussed in the past, aims to provide a supplement to or replacement for some of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones. The arsenal plane would operate at a standoff distance, launching long-range missiles at targets designated by crewed fighters.
The idea of an air-to-air version of the B-21 has been around since 2017, but it gained traction with the prospect of an air war with China and its rapidly evolving air combat capabilities. The Air Force is now considering other potential flying-wing platforms to fill this role, citing concerns about Northrop Grumman’s capacity to build the baseline bomber and a potential air-to-air-tasked spinoff.
The arsenal plane concept involves a stealthy flying-wing aircraft carrying a large number of air-to-air missiles, such as the AIM-260, to provide additional magazine depth for crewed fighters like the F-22, F-35, and future F-47. The aircraft would operate at a distance, launching missiles at targets designated by forward-operating fighters.
The Air Force has not ruled out expanding the roles and missions of the B-21, and the development of an air-to-air version could be part of a reassessment of plans for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative. The service is also exploring the option of using an airframe other than the B-21 to achieve the same air-to-air task.
Alternatively, the Air Force could acquire uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAVs) offering longer range and better survivability than CCAs, as well as a greater payload. China is also developing flying-wing drones, including stealthy UCAVs, which could match the US Air Force’s arsenal plane concept.
The development of an arsenal plane could have implications for the CCA program, which is based around drones carrying air-to-air missiles to support crewed combat jets. The arsenal plane could complement or potentially threaten CCA plans, depending on how it is employed.
The timing of the new arsenal plane revelations is interesting, given the development of the F-47, which is intended to be a spearhead of the Air Force’s future air superiority efforts. The Air Force has started production of the first F-47, but there are questions about the final number of aircraft to be built and their cost.
Overall, the development of a stealthy flying-wing aircraft as an arsenal plane is a significant concept that could enhance the Air Force’s air superiority capabilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. However, it would come at a significant cost, and the service will need to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks and implications for other programs.